This class was spent talking about Photographs, which was a very interesting genre for preservation for me. I found the idea of working on photographs to be a very interesting one as it is something that everyone deals with, regardless of age or generation. However I liked how we discussed how Photographs and other non-paper formats of items have different preservation strategies, especially when you start talking about Preservation of digital items. However, I had not really realized how many different forms of non-paper items there were. We discussed Transparencies, something I remember from my elementary school days, as well as Art and clay tablets. These types of item seem to me like more of a museum piece, however I can see how special libraries, such as a presidential library would catalog these types of items along with the other items. Look a the FDR Presidential Library where the library is part of a historical complex comprising multiple buildings!
Most of this class period we discussed various aspects of The Game. My group went over each of the points in our section of the checklist. I also posted our rough draft for the Admins on the Wiki. Beyond this, I realized that the best way to show how our work is developing is to post various updates of our work to the wiki as well. I had not realized that using a Google Doc (which I feel is working very well) would make it difficult for the Admins or the Prof to see what we have been doing. I think its important to look at the work in process, not just the final project. I have also been working on the budget to set up the area in Tech Services, which has become more of a project than I had first thought it would be. I have really only gotten one departments supply list, which is somewhat frustrating. However, I do know other Department Heads are looking at the budget stuff, so hopefully I get more info soon (Of course, its Thanksgiving break, so I can't really expect that much). I do need to look at how the physical space needs to be set up. I am thinking that using Kitchen counters from IKEA would work the best at this point. I like these items because they are durable, and they have a lot of free-standing items so they would be movable, and it would be easy to get. Also, I think the Kitchen counter stuff would be practical for this type of project because in general it is already organized for various sized items and the counter-tops are made to withstand use. So I am going to look into this as it seems to be my decision now.
Chapter 18: Preservation of Information in Nonpaper Formats
I found it very interesting that some of the drawback to non-paper formats was that a lot of them deteriorate more rapidly than paper and a lot of them are machine dependent. I had not realized that things like photos would not last as long as book, but it makes sense. Photos, for example, are so acidic that they would take a very special environment to keep them in good condition. I would expect that this would have very different humidity and temperature controls than that of books. I would expect both would need to be lower in fact. Also, I had not realized that copying materials is really how preservation of nonpaper formats is how you preserve it! I mean, its strange to think that sometimes the best we can do is make a copy of something. What if all you can do is continuously make copies in formats? Eventually you lose the integrity of the original. it like making copies of copies of a letter on a copy machine.
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